Self-interpreting Bible

« back to list of books

« back to list of chapters

Ecclesiastes 10

1Observations on wisdom and folly; 16on the defects and virtues of governors; 18on slothfulness; 19on money. 20Men's thoughts of kings ought to be reverent.


1 1DEAD flies cause the ointment of the *apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: aso doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.

2 A bwise man's heart is at his right hand; but ca fool's heart at his left.

3 Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, 2his wisdom faileth him, and dhe saith to every one that he is a fool.

4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, eleave not thy place; for fyielding pacifieth great offences.

5 gThere is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth 3from the ruler:

6 hFolly is set 4in great dignity, iand the rich sit in low place.

7 jI have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.

8 He that kdiggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.

9 Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that lcleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.

10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he *put to more strength: but mwisdom is profitable to direct.

11 Surely nthe serpent will bite without enchantment; and 5a babbler is no better.

12 The owords of a wise man's mouth are 6gracious; pbut the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of 7his talk is mischievous madness.

  • 7: Heb. his mouth.

14 qA fool also 8is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and rwhat shall be after him, who can tell him?

15 The slabour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.

16 ¶tWoe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!

17 uBlessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

18 ¶vBy much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.

19 ¶wA feast is made for laughter, and xwine 9maketh merry: ybut money answereth all things.

20 ¶zCurse not the king, no not in thy 10thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for aa bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.